The National Museum of the Pacific Ware presents an oral interview with Charles Butterworth. Butterworth was born in Anderson, South Carolina. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Notre Dame. In May 1939, he quit college and joined the Army Air Corps. After attending flight engineering and gunnery schools, he was assigned as flight engineer on a B-17 piloted by Emmett “Rosie” O’Donnell. He arrived at Manila, Philippine Islands on 28 August 1941 where he was assigned to the 19th Airbase Squadron stationed at Nichols Field. Starting on 9 December 1941, Nichols Field was bombed daily by the Japanese throughout the rest of the month. Butterworth traveled to Mindanao where he and his companions were picked up by a Japanese patrol craft. He and others became prisoners of war and were taken by boat to Japan where he worked in a steel mill. He tells of the filth, starvation and physical abuse to which the prisoners were subjected. After Japan surrendered, Butterworth and other freed prisoners were taken to a hospital ship for a journey home.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Millard Schwartz. Schwartz was drafted into the Army in December of 1942. He provides details of his weapons training and boot camp. He served with A Battery, 919th Field Artillery, 94th Infantry Division. They traveled to Scotland in August of 1944, and landed on Utah Beach on 7 September. Schwartz shares his experiences traveling overseas aboard the troop ship, the Queen Elizabeth and his time spent in London. His division relieved another in the St. Nazaire area serving to maintain security against the pockets of 50 to 60,000 Germans there. Going into December they traveled to Belgium and participated in the Battle of the Bulge, where they were attached to General Patton’s 3rd Army. They were assigned to an area around the Siegfried Line, near Eschweiler, Germany. He provides vivid details of his experiences through this battle. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Preston. After discovering that he was not the right size for the Army Air Corps, Preston joined the Marine Corps around the time the war began. He was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division as a rifleman. His first combat experience occurred on Tarawa, where he was one of the first ashore. After wading through waist-deep water, he crawled along a coconut log wall and had an uncomfortably close encounter with an enemy combatant who tossed grenades before retreating. Afterward, Preston enjoyed a brief R&R in New Zealand, where he tried to stay out of the brawls between New Zealander and American troops. On Saipan and Tinian, Preston saw civilian prisoners used for slave labor and put on the front line as false targets. He once found himself within 10 steps of an enemy tank while his antitank support was unable to fire. Fortunately, the tank was too close to lower its gun on him. Preston also survived a bullet that ricocheted off his canteen. After a brief stint on Saipan pulling guard duty, Preston returned to the States and was discharged a few months later.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Roy Burley. Burley was born in Halletsville, Texas 29 October 1923. Following his graduation from high school in San Antonio, he attended Prairie View A & M College. While in college, he served for three years in the Enlisted Reserve Corps. In May 1943 he was called to active duty and went to Camp Maxey at Paris, Texas. Selected to continue his college education, he was sent to Howard University in Washington DC. After completing one semester he was ordered to report to the 1318th Engineer General Service Regiment as a surveyor. After working on the construction of an air strip in North Carolina, he volunteered to attend Officers Candidates School. After ninety days of training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was commissioned a second lieutenant. He then went to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where he joined the 372nd Infantry Regiment as a rifle platoon leader in Company C. After the unit had set sail for Hawaii a message was received that the 372nd was deactivated. Upon arrival in Hawaii, he was assigned to the Transportation Corps and sent to the Philippines where he reported to a trucking battalion. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Roger Went. Went joined the Navy in August of 1942, and began flight training in November. He was placed on active duty in December and began flying an N3N (Yellow Peril). He also practiced night flying. In July of 1943 he began work at the Naval Air Training Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, flying the SNV and AT-6. He received his wings in February of 1943. In April of 1944 he qualified for instrument flying and carrier landings on the Navy training ship, the USS Sable (IX-81). Went was assigned to bombing squadron VB-85, and piloted the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver aboard the USS Shangri-La (CV-38). On 25 April 1945 he had his first combat dive bombing flight over Oki Daitō Island, southeast of Okinawa. While flying over Kikaijima Island on 29 April, his plane was shot down by antiaircraft. He spent 3 hours in a life raft and was rescued by a PBM. He completed a total of 20 combat missions and was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Warren Wishnack. Wishnack joined the Army in August of 1942. He trained to serve as a radio operator. He joined the 6th Cavalry, a reconnaissance unit, and provides some details of their unique training. Wishnack was assigned to an M-8 armored car where he tapped out Morse Code to communicate with headquarters and also worked with an FM radio for short distances. He provides details of his radio training and the M-8 armored vehicle. He served in Ireland from October 1943 to June of 1944, conducting routine training missions and building a motor pool. They landed on Utah Beach July 9. They participated in five campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge and attacking the Siegfried Line. Wishnack provides some details of the tanks and the battles he fought in. He also shares his encounters with the German civilians. He was discharged around December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Fred Hargesheimer. Hargesheimer joined the Army Air Forces in March of 1941. He completed flight training in March of 1942 and served as a pilot aboard an F-5, a modified P-38. He was assigned to the 8th Photo Squadron, 5th Air Force. He traveled to Australia and New Guinea. His plane had three cameras used for mapping at 20,000 feet, covering a 40-mile-wide strip. He provides some details of the cameras and techniques used in mapping. On his 49th, and final, photo reconnaissance mission in June of 1943 Hargesheimer’s plane was shot down by the Japanese over Papua New Guinea. He parachuted to safety and survived in the jungle for 31 days. He was rescued, and hidden from the Japanese, by the Nakanai tribe in the village of Eaea. In February of 1944 he was rescued by the submarine USS Gato (SS-212). He was discharged in 1946. Hargesheimer later became a philanthropist, helping the village that hid him from the Japanese.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert LeClerq. LeClerq’s brother, John, served in the Navy in World War II and also died serving his country. Robert was eight years younger than John and recalls his brother’s time serving in the war. John was commissioned in Chicago around 1941. In April of 1944 he was assigned to the USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413). He and his family attended the commissioning of the ship in Houston, Texas. He was an Ensign and served aboard the ship as an Assistant Gunnery Officer. Their ship was sent to Pearl Harbor to escort supply ships and later participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October of 1944. After being hit by three 14-inch shells from an enemy ship, the Samuel B. Roberts sank, claiming the lives of 90 sailors including John LeClerq. John’s parents were sent a letter by an officer from the Roberts describing in detail the fateful battle. Robert provides some additional details of his brother’s life and service in the military and the books written about the Roberts years after the event.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wayne Knight. Knight joined the Navy in December of 1942. He graduated from flight school in April of 1944 as a second lieutenant Marine Aviator. He flew F4U Corsairs with Marine Fighting Squadron 311 (VMF-311). Knight participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William P Gattis. Gattis joined the Navy in May of 1941. Soon after joining, he was assigned to the USS Henderson (AP-1). Upon arriving at Pearl Harbor, Gattis volunteered to join the submarine forces. He was quickly assigned to the USS Sargo (SS-188). They departed Pearl Harbor in October of 1941, arrived in Manila in November, and were there when the Japanese attacked. He was later transferred off the Sargo to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station to complete Chief Commissary Steward School, and was then assigned to the USS Salmon (SS-182). In April of 1945, he was transferred to the USS Stickleback (SS-415). He was discharged in Mary of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Davis. In the California State Military Reserve, Davis kept watch over the Central Valley, home to many Japanese-American farmers. Having worked with the phone company, he hoped to become a Signal Corps officer, but was not content to wait. He joined the Marine Corps in 1942, becoming a drill instructor. He then joined the V Amphibious Corps in 1943 as an NCO in command of 200 corpsmen. Departing for Hawaii, he was court-martialed for leaving the ship to bid his wife farewell. His rank reduced to private, he was sentenced to 20 days in the brig, which he served in the brig sergeant’s quarters, playing cards with him. At Pearl Harbor, Davis guarded the headquarters, saluting FDR when he arrived. Davis transferred to a salvage platoon on Kwajalein, fighting fires and routinely encountering delay-action bombs. He transferred to Saipan with the 6th Field Depot, later reorganized as the 7th Service Regiment, sighting several Japanese holdouts. He drove a DUKW in the initial assault on Okinawa. After a stint in Tianjin, Davis returned to the States and was discharged in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Greer. Greer was born 8 March 1924 in Gary, West Virginia. In 1942 he enrolled in the ROTC at West Virginia State College. In May 1943 his class was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for sixteen weeks of artillery basic training. In August the group was sent by troop train to Camp Beale, California where they joined the newly formed, all-black 777th Field Artillery Battalion where they trained with the 4.5 millimeter howitzer. During August 1944 the unit sailed for Liverpool, England. Upon arrival they went to Normandy where they joined the 9th Army as part of III Corps. In November 1944 the battalion was involved in the Hurtgen Forest Campaign. After the surrender of Germany, the battalion was on board a ship going to the Pacific when Japan surrendered. The ship was diverted back to the United States. After Greer was discharged in December 1945, he returned to college and upon graduating, received a commission in the Field Artillery. He concludes the interview by telling of his various assignments, which included combat situations during the Korea and Vietnam wars. In 1976, Greer retired as a major …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Phil Perabo. Perabo joined the Navy in 1941. He trained and served as a fighter pilot. Beginning in 1942 he was assigned to the fleet aboard the USS Bogue (CVE-9), where he worked with a strike group. They sunk the first German sub in the Atlantic. Perabo later joined Fighter Squadron VF-82 in the Pacific and served aboard the USS Bennington (CV-20). He completed 25 mission and in May of 1945 he was shot down and taken prisoner at Ōfuna Camp in Japan for 113 days prior to the end of the war. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, five Air Medals and one Purple Heart. Perabo had a career in the Navy, promoted to full commander by 1957 and retired in 1968.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Carrol Davidson. Davidson joined the Navy in November of 1944. He served in the Armed Guard as gun captain of the twin 3-inch .50 calibers aboard the SS Howell Lykes (1940). Beginning in February of 1945 they transported troops to New Guinea. They also traveled to Australia and picked up a group of Australian Rangers and delivered them to Borneo. He provides details of his travels over the Pacific, including firing at Japanese planes and working with the Merchant Marines. Their ship picked up some casualties in Manila around July of 1945 and delivered them back to the U.S. After the war, Davidson completed submarine school and served aboard the USS Boarfish (SS-327) beginning in late 1947. He provides details of his training and career in the Navy aboard submarines. He retired in May of 1964 as Chief Petty Officer.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George William Ogden. Ogden joined the Navy in February of 1942. He completed Officer Candidate School, and trained with amphibious landing vehicles. Beginning in early 1943, he served as a Communications Officer aboard the USS LST-172. They traveled to Guantanamo Bay, Bora Bora, Samoa, New Hebrides, New Caledonia and Guadalcanal. They assisted the Marines in preparation for the Battle of Okinawa. He continued his service after the war ended, and was discharged in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marguerite Loveless. Loveless was born in Centerville, Texas in 1921. After attending Houston Brown College she was employed by the Texas Department of Public Welfare. She married Cleatus “Chuck” E. Loveless in 1941. She tells of her husband joining the Army Air Corps soon after the declaration of war and of the numerous moves and living conditions they encountered and of the long lasting relationships that developed with many of the people she met. While her husband was serving in the Philippines she was employed at Harmon General Hospital in Longview, Texas, and tells of German prisoners of war working maintenance at the hospital.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glen Looney. Looney was born 24 September 1924 at Lake Texhoma, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 and trained at San Diego, California. He was assigned as a 20mm gunner aboard the USS Sangamon (CVE-26). Looney tells of the ship participating in the invasions of the Gilbert and Palau islands and Okinawa. He describes the kamikaze attacks on the ship and of being blown overboard by an explosion. The USS Dennis (DE-405) rescued him. Looney returned to the United States in 1945 and was stationed at Corpus Christi (Texas) Naval Air Station until his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Tommy Shaffer. Shaffer was born in Florence, Texas 31 August 1926. He received his draft notice in 1944 and joined the United States Navy. After attending boot camp at San Diego, California he went aboard the USS Sangamon (CVE-26) in February 1945 as second loader on a 40mm gun. He describes the attack at Okinawa by Japanese aircraft and tells of one plane dropping a bomb on the ship just before crashing into the flight deck and the actions of the damage control unit. The ship passed through the Panama Canal on its way to Newport News, Virginia for repairs. She arrived in June 1945. He tells of his transfer to the moth ball fleet and he describes his duties in this job prior to his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Allen Barker. Barker was born 29 July 1922 in Sairlie, Texas. He joined the Army Air Corps in August 1942. Following completion of basic training in Greenville, Texas he was assigned to the signal corps. He was shuttled around to various bases in the United States and finally boarded a troop ship, USS General A.E. Anderson for a 30 day sea trip to Bombay, India. His unit built a base about 60 miles northwest of Imphal, India. After the Japanese surrender he was involved in closing various bases in India until being shipped back to the United States and receiving his discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Jackson. He begins by discussing his time in boot camp at Camp Pendelton. The majority of the interview is about his time fighting at Iwo Jima.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Oliver Schaetter. Schaetter joined the Navy in December 1943 and was immediately selected as a pharmacist’s mate due to his civilian experience as an embalmer. He received training at Balboa Park sick bay and recalls comforting a shell-shocked soldier who had hidden under his bunk during a fireworks display. In December 1944 Schaetter was assigned to the USS Goshen (APA-108), which functioned as a third-class hospital ship as well as a troop carrier. He saw burials at sea at every stop in the South Pacific and felt they were extremely dignified events. When one of his own patients died at sea, the pharmacist improvised an embalming fluid so that the soldier could later be given a land burial on Saipan. After the war, Schaetter treated civilians and military personnel alike at a hospital in the Philippines. While there, he hypnotized and administered a truth serum to a guard who committed crimes against natives. Schaetter returned home in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gerard Carriera. After graduating high school, Carriera studied drafting and designing at JM Wright Technical School and worked for Electrolux. He received a deferment after joining the Navy in October 1941 and reported back to Electrolux, where he worked on many projects, including the incendiary bomb, Sperry gyroscope, and water purification systems. Carriera was a natural fit for the Seabees and was assigned to the 103rd Naval Construction Battalion. On Guam, he helped design the Pacific Fleet Headquarters and met Admiral Nimitz, who had one of Carriera’s drawings of a C-43 framed and hung in the conference room. While constructing the airport, Carriera instructed the electrical crew on how to assemble the lighting system. He was later assigned to the 8th Naval Construction Battalion and made a map of Okinawa for General Buckner. When the time came for Carriera to return home, his commander delayed him and requested an architectural design for a ranch house, which was later erected in California. Carriera returned to the States in January 1946, resuming work at Electrolux, eventually retiring as a senior manufacturing engineer.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Israel Berger. While attending medical school, Berger took an officer’s correspondence course with the Navy in May 1942. After interning at the Norfolk Naval Hospital and completing the V-12 program, he boarded the USS Drew (APA-162) as a general medical officer, traveling between Oahu and Saipan. Berger was relieved to be treated kindly despite being one of only two Jewish men on his ship. Despite having grown up in a kosher home, he set his cultural differences aside and ate what everyone else ate. While supporting action at Samar and Okinawa, Berger dealt with very few serious injuries, although he encountered many fatalities. One of his most sobering experiences involved helping a 12-year-old Japanese girl who stepped on a mine. By the end of the war, Berger had made lieutenant. He was inclined to join the Naval Reserve but decided instead to return home and care for his ailing mother.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glen Parker. Parker was born on 28 March 1919 in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. He was drafted into the Army in March 1941. His basic training was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. From there he was sent to Camp Livingston, Louisiana and assigned to the 32nd Division, 120th Artillery, Company C. From Louisiana, his unit was sent to Macon, Georgia, then to Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and finally sailed from San Francisco to Australia in April 1942. There Parker was reassigned to the 126th Infantry Battalion. After three months in Adelaide and Brisbane, the 126th sailed to Port Moresby in New Guinea. After about a week, the unit marched north 130 miles across the island, over the mountains, to Sanananda, between Buna and Gona on the north coast. The march took over 4 weeks. They were poorly supplied with food and other equipment. They participated in the battles for Buna-Gona and the Battle for Sanananda. Parker was then sent back to Australia for a lengthy treatment for malaria he had contracted in New Guinea. Once that was under control, he returned to his unit. They made landings in Katika in spring, 1944 …